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Hays County is located in Central Texas. It was established in 1848. Our County Seat is San Marcos. Visit this
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To view the original notice, click here FILED HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS at 8:29 o'clock AM.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUE HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS COMBINATION TAX AND REVENUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on January 20, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at a regular meeting of the Commissioners Court of Hays County, Texas (the “Commissioners Court”), to be held at its regular meeting place in the Hays County Courthouse, Room 301, 111 E. San Antonio Street, San Marcos, Texas, the Commissioners Court intends to pass one or more orders authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $100,000,000 total principal amount of certificates of obligation, in one or more series (collectively, the “Certificates”), bearing interest at any rate or rates not to exceed the maximum interest rate authorized by law, as shall be determined within the discretion of the Commissioners Court at the time of issuance of the Certificates, and maturing over a period of not to exceed thirty (30)years from their date of issuance, for the purpose of paying contractual obligations to be incurred for all or any portion of the costs associated with (i) constructing, equipping, improving, extending,expanding, upgrading and/or developing a County administration building to be known as the East side Campus, including any necessary acquisition of land or interest in land in connection therewith,related drainage and utility costs, and other costs related thereto; (ii) acquiring, constructing,equipping, improving, renovating, extending, expanding, upgrading and/or developing animal shelter facilities, including any necessary land acquisition, related drainage and utility costs and other costs related thereto; (iii) remodeling, constructing, equipping, improving, renovating, extending,expanding, upgrading the existing Hays County Government Center; (iv) acquiring, constructing,equipping, improving, renovating, extending, expanding, upgrading and/or developing a Precinct 4office building, including any necessary land acquisition in connection therewith, related drainage and utility costs, and other costs related thereto; (v) acquiring, constructing, equipping, improving,renovating, extending, expanding, upgrading and/or developing a Precinct 5 office building, including any necessary land acquisition in connection therewith, related drainage and utility costs, and other costs related thereto; and (vi) professional services of attorneys, financial advisors, engineers and other professionals in connection with the foregoing purposes and the issuance of the Certificates.Said Certificates shall be payable from the levy of a direct and continuing ad valorem tax, levied within the limits prescribed by law, against all taxable property within the County sufficient to pay the interest on said Certificates as due and to provide for the payment of the principal thereof as the same matures, as authorized by Sub chapter C, Chapter 271, Texas Local Government Code, as amended, and from certain of the net revenues of the County's Solid Waste Management System. The estimated combined principal and interest required to pay the Certificates on time and in full is $184,959,875.00. Such estimate is provided for illustrative purposes only and is based on an assumed interest rate of 5.25%. Market conditions affecting interest rates vary based on numerous factors beyond the control of the County, and the County cannot provide any assurance regarding the rate of interest that the Certificates will bear upon their issuance. As of the date of this notice, the aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt obligations of the County secured by and payable from ad valorem taxes is $635,108,993.00. Based on the County's expectations, as of the date of this notice, the combined principal and interest required to pay all of the outstanding debt obligations of the County secured by and payable from ad valorem taxes on time and in full is $923,048,745.64. COMMISSIONERS COURT HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS November 18, 2025
News
Wimberley, Texas — Hays County will host a public forum and educational event at 5 p.m. today, March 4, at the Wimberley Community Center to provide updates on Sentinel Peak Preserve and other parks and open space projects currently underway across the county. A panel will share the latest progress on Sentinel Peak Preserve, a 530-plus-acre property located just west of Wimberley. The preserve is slated to open to the public in 2027. “Sentinel Peak will serve as a Golden-cheeked Warbler habitat preserve and will also offer residents a unique riverfront park experience along a pristine one-mile stretch of the Blanco River,” said Hays County Parks & Natural Resources Director Karl Flocke. “We are designing this space to balance low-impact recreation with long-term environmental protection.” When completed, Sentinel Peak Preserve will feature opportunities for swimming and hiking, a nature center, a small event space, and County offices. The project is part of the broader 2020 Parks and Open Spaces Bond program, which funds park improvements and land conservation initiatives across Hays County. Potential project sites were initially recommended by partnering cities and nonprofit organizations, then evaluated and ranked by the citizen-led Parks and Open Spaces Advisory Commission. Each project has also benefited from extensive stakeholder input, including guidance from the Watershed Association, The Nature Conservancy, Hill Country Conservancy, the Great Springs Project, neighbors, and others who participated in community discussions such as the 2024 Capes Pond open house. “These projects increase access to nature-based recreation throughout the county,” Flocke said. “Visitors will see benefits like new and expanded trails, greater connectivity, and additional opportunities for swimming and fishing — an important addition since swimming at Jacob’s Well has not been possible since 2022 due to low water levels.” The director emphasized that all projects reflect the County’s long-term vision of pairing recreational access with responsible resource stewardship. “Our goal is to ensure residents can enjoy the county’s natural landscapes without detracting from the beauty and ecological value of the environment,” he said. Precinct 3 Commissioner Morgan Hammer added, “Sentinel Peak Preserve represents a major step forward in expanding access to nature while honoring our responsibility to protect Hays County’s most sensitive natural resources. Community input has shaped every stage of these projects, and we’re excited to share the progress with residents. The work being done today will ensure that families can enjoy these spaces for generations to come.” Residents can learn more about Sentinel Peak Preserve, other ongoing projects, and bond-funded initiatives by visiting the Hays County Parks Bond website at www.haysparksbond.com. ###
SAN MARCOS, Texas — On Monday, March 2, Hays County welcomed its first Deputy County Administrator, Tucker Furlow, to the newly created position. The role was established to streamline processes, strengthen communication across departments, and support efficient, coordinated responses to the County’s growing range of initiatives. Born and raised in the Texas Hill Country, Furlow graduated from Wimberley High School and Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration before earning his law degrees in California. For nearly four years, he has served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Hays County Criminal District Attorney’s Office – Civil Division, bringing extensive experience in public service, operational oversight, and interdepartmental coordination. “With nearly two decades in state and local government, I’ve worked on initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, strengthening organizational processes, and ensuring responsible stewardship of public resources,” Furlow said. “My experience spans both daily operations and long-term strategic planning, which I believe is essential for sustainable growth. I approach leadership with a focus on integrity, accountability and collaboration.” Furlow said his passion for helping others drew him to county government. “I’ve always believed that local government has the most direct impact on people’s daily lives,” he said. “County government provides the opportunity to serve in a hands-on way, ensuring essential services are delivered effectively and responsibly.” As Deputy County Administrator, Furlow will lead countywide initiatives; coordinate intergovernmental and regional partnerships; assist the County Administrator in developing and implementing County goals and objectives; cultivate collaborative relationships with public and private organizations; represent Hays County before the Texas Legislature and other governmental bodies; conduct studies and investigations on administrative and technical issues; meet with citizens and business leaders; and provide high-level management and project support to the County Administrator, executive staff, and Commissioners. County Administrator Kandice Boutté noted that Furlow brings exceptional value to the new role. “Tucker brings a rare combination of strategic insight, practical experience and a genuine commitment to public service,” Boutté said. “His ability to connect big-picture goals with day-to-day operations will be an incredible asset as our County continues to grow. We’re excited to welcome him into this leadership role and are confident he will strengthen our ability to serve the people of Hays County with excellence.” ###
SAN MARCOS , Texas – The office of Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced today that 50-year-old Jaime Espericueta of Liberty Hill, Texas, was sentenced to 75 years in prison on Feb. 23, 2026. On Nov. 24, 2025, a jury found Jaime Espericueta guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child. The evidence at trial showed that Jaime Espericueta sexually abused two different children over several years. Espericueta elected to have his punishment determined by the judge instead of a jury. After the jury found Espericueta guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child, the punishment hearing occurred on Feb. 23, 2026. At this hearing, a third victim testified that Espericueta had also abused her when she was a child. The State presented additional evidence of the traumatic effects of sexual abuse. After hearing the evidence, Judge Alicia Key of the 483 rd District Court of Hays County sentenced Espericueta to 75 years in prison. Under the law applicable to the case, the defendant is not eligible for parole. This case was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Elizabeth Schmidt and Miranda Ebersole. Ebersole stated, “This was a case where the defendant spent years hiding his crimes of sexual abuse, often hiding behind his own family members for protection. The bravery of the survivors in this case to speak out about the abuse and stand up to the defendant in court was inspiring. This case is a warning to other abusers that even though years go by, we will still hold them accountable for the abuse they inflict on children.” # # #
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